Setting up a cleaning system part 6

If you notice that typically four times during the year we have an extra week in our month.  The 5^th week.  Hmmmm, what can we tackle on that day  For myself, that is when I would do my extra annual cleaning.  I don’t like to have to take a week out of the year for my “spring” cleaning.  When springtime rolls around, I want to be outside enjoying the sunshine.  These are the chores that we have under our annual list:

• vacuum under and behind refrigerator
• wipe all walls from ceiling to floor
• clean out heater and cooling vents
• defrost freezer and wipe out
• clean behind washer and dryer
• carpet clean floors
• clean out basement
• clean out garage
• sort through and donate clothing
• sort through toys and donate
• sort through household things and donate
• clean off videos and bookshelves and donate
• clean out dryer vent
• clean out fireplace
• clean inside and outside of windows and sills
• flip mattresses
• test fire alarms/smoke detectors

I would divide up the number of chores that you have by four times per year.  Every time that extra week comes around, aim to get that set number of chores done.  If this list is on the wall along with your others, mark off the chores that are completed so that you don’t do them again in the coming months. If you keep it in your household binder, you can just check it off.

Maybe you just want to have that extra week to NOT have to do extra chores, that is fine.  You have to find whatever works for you.  The key is to have a list so that you know what you have to do each year.

Here is a free printable to help you with this task.

Annual jobs completed

Wow can you believe that you have organized all of your cleaning tasks into something tangible that you can actually use?  I know it may seem like a lot, but all you have to do is implement it into your life.  It will be okay if you forget to dust one day during the week.  Know that the following week you will get to it again.

This method or systematization takes time.  It takes time to sit and write everything out.  It takes time to learn to implement and see what works and doesn’t work. As with everything in life, time spent doing things that are important are well worth it in the end.  You want to be able to sit back and relax and enjoy your home don’t you? You want a smooth running home where your husband comes home and can sit at the table and have dinner with his family without all the clutter.  A home where you won’t be afraid if your friend just drops in for lunch. A home you won’t be embarrassed to entertain others in.  A place where your children know what is expected of them and they help contribute to it.  A place that they value and love because they work together to keep it nice.  All this starts with us and our willingness to make our homes a place of peace for our families.

She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness

Proverbs 31:27

It is our job to see how our household ways are run.  Why not make it a place that everyone enjoys being part of.

Have a blessed day!